University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Teaching Scholars Program

The Teaching Scholars Program (TSP) is an 18 month program, taking place in September - March, designed to enhance knowledge and skills while developing future leaders in medical and healthcare education. With a focus on core components of educational scholarship and curriculum development, the certificate program culminates in the development of an education research project or a curriculum development project and is built upon the overall goal of developing a group of highly skilled educational scholars and leaders on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

If you have any questions, please reach out to SOM.Academy@cuanschutz.edu.

Chad Stickrath, MD, FACP
	Dr. Stickrath is an Associate Professor of Medicine, the Associate Dean for Medical Education, and the Director of the Teaching Scholars Program in the Academy of Medical Educators. The Teaching Scholars Program aligns with and amplifies his passion for mentoring talented faculty and building innovative programs and curricula.

Helen Macfarlane, MA
	Helen Macfarlane is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine and the Director for the Teaching Scholars Program.

Program Information

The Teaching Scholars Program consists of several core elements:

Tuesday Afternoon Seminar Series (occurs throughout the academic year & may meet at least twice a month)
Curriculum Development project
Education Scholarship project
Faculty mentorship and guidance
Presentation of project at the Academy of Medical Educators Education and Innovation Symposium

Core content is covered in the seminar series and continues throughout the Program using a variety of independent learning opportunities to meet the needs and schedules of the TSP participants. The content covers aspects of educational theory, adult learning, and educational methods while focusing on educational scholarship, tools for educational research, curriculum development, innovative application of education technologies, program evaluation, career development and educational leadership. All participants attend meetings on Tuesday afternoons and pursue a medical or healthcare education research or curriculum development project. Content is presented by faculty during monthly sessions and TSP participants receive guidance and mentoring as they develop important skills and leadership through educational scholarship.

TSP participants are expected to commit .10 (10%) FTE that is used to: attend all scheduled sessions on Tuesday afternoons; to work on their project; to complete assigned readings and activities; and, to meet with their mentor(s) and/or TSP leadership about their project and career goals.

TSP requires 10% FTE protected time from your department so you may complete the following program requirements:

Attendance at Tuesday afternoon sessions in person or online, held two times a month from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- There may be months where three sessions are required.
- It is recommended that you block off all Tuesday afternoons for your TSP time. This will serve as the protected time for sessions, meeting with mentors, and working on projects. However, we know clinic obligations come up and will work with you.
Attendance at a two-day kick off retreat in August or early September - specific dates TBD
A curriculum design or evaluation project
Submit your final project for peer review and present it as a poster or oral presentation at the annual Education Scholarship and Innovation Symposium

Faculty from all Schools and Colleges on the Anschutz Medical Campus are welcome to apply.

Following a competitive application process, approximately 20 participants are accepted into each cohort. Six spots within each cohort are reserved for faculty in the School of Medicine. One spot each year is reserved for a fellow whose fellowship is in medical education or clinical education. Fellows and their program directors should contact TSP Leadership specifying the fellow selected to their medical or clinical education fellowship prior to the TSP application deadline.

All applicants must have the documented support of their departmentor division leadership. Applications must include all components described on the website in addition to a letter from their dean, department chair, or supervisor/director, extending support for the applicant.

Applicants from schools or colleges outside the School of Medicine must also include a statement in the letter of support that their school or college agrees to pay the tuition cost of $2,600.00 per applicant. No faculty outside of the School of Medicine will be able to participate without this support from their school or college.

Applications open Thursday, February 1, 2024. The deadline for the 2024/2026 cohort is Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Please note all applications will need to include a concept for a curriculum development or education research project as well as a commitment of protected time from the applicant’s department/program.

Since the Application form needs to be completed in one setting and will not save, you should have the following items ready.

Each of the following questions MUST be answered on your application:

1. Educational Background

What previous education or training (e.g., degree, certificate, or other recognition) have you received in teaching, educational scholarship, or leadership?

Please name and briefly describe any relevant programs.
Note: Applicants with a master’s degree in education are usually not selected for TSP, as the program is designed for faculty who do not already have this level of advanced education.

2. Personal and Professional Goals

What personal and professional goals do you hope to achieve through your participation in TSP?

Write a brief paragraph explaining why you believe TSP will benefit your career or current position.

3. Project Idea

Describe an idea you have for a health education curriculum development project and what your role would be.

Alternatively, you may describe a health education research project unrelated to curriculum development, but curriculum projects are preferred.
Consider a project that can be completed within the 18-month timeframe. If your idea is longer-term, focus on a specific aspect that is achievable within this period (e.g., conducting a needs assessment).

4. Project Origin and Feasibility

Provide details about how your project idea (from question #3) was generated, including the following:

Was the idea suggested by your department head, or is it your own initiative?

Do you have any funding or institutional support for this project?
What are the major challenges you anticipate in developing and implementing your project?
Do you have an identified mentor for this project? If so, include their name, contact information, and your relationship to them.

Note: Having a mentor is not a requirement for application. TSP will assist participants in identifying an appropriate mentor if needed.

Additional Guidance for Question 4:

Successful projects require stakeholder buy-in and the ability to execute the idea.
Provide information that demonstrates your capacity to make the project happen and the level of support you have from your department, team, or collaborators.

These questions are designed to help us understand your background, goals, and the feasibility of your project idea as part of the TSP experience.

Outside School of Medicine applications must include in the statement in the letter of support that their School or College agrees to pay the tuition cost of 2,600 per applicant.

*Applications outside of the School of Medicine must include in the statement of the letter of support that their school or college agrees to pay the tuition cost of $2,600 per applicant.

School of Medicine

CU Anschutz

Fitzsimons Building

13001 East 17th Place

Campus Box C290

Aurora, CO 80045

303.724.5375

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